Facial composite systems falling short / Eureka Alerts, 9 Feb 2007
http://digbig.com/4rhns
"The mention of facial composites often conjures up images of a sinister criminal, skillfully depicted by a sketch artist using pencil and paper. In reality, the vast majority of law enforcement agencies use mechanized methods, usually computer software, when creating facial composite. By having a vast repertoire of eyes, ears, hair and so on at their disposal, witnesses have the ability to create an image that ideally encompasses all of the features of the perpetrator. So have these technological advances improved our ability to identify and apprehend criminals? Gary Wells and Lisa Hasels of Iowa State University say "no."
In an article appearing in the February issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, [Sub Required] the authors point to several studies that indicate facial composite systems produce a poor likeness of the intended face."